All that remains of the long
history of the American motorcycle today is Harley Davidson and its unchanging
V-twins. But the land of the wide-open spaces once boasted a multitude of makes
and models, particularly a long line of four-cylinder bikes, of which the
Indian 441 was the last – and maybe finest – example.

Famous for Four Cylinders

It was in 1927 that Indian,
one of the greatest American makes, bought another notable manufacturer, Ace,
renowned for its in-line fours. Ace production continued little changed until
1936, when Indian unveiled a curious new four with overhead exhaust valves and
side intakes.

Best of the American Fours

Then in 1938 came a new model
that was to prove one of the best of the American in-line fours. Its power unit
had the cylinders cast in pairs with light-alloy cylinder heads; Indian had
returned to the normal valve layout for this type of power unit, with overhead
inlet and side exhaust valves. Sliding pillar rear suspension was added in
1939. The year 1940 saw the appearance of the flamboyantly skirted fenders that
were to characterize American bikes at that period. The Indian Four remained in
that form, with minor detail changes, until the end of production in 1942.
Although the Springfield, Massachusetts, company studied several prototypes for
postwar production, the '42 model remained the last of the American straight
fours.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 1265cc (69.9x82.6 mm)
in-line four-cylinder four-stroke

Power output: 40 hp

Valves: overhead inlet/side
exhaust

Fuel system: Schebler
carburetor

Transmission: 3-speed
hand-change gearbox; chain final drive

Suspension: (front)
leaf-sprung trailing link; (rear) sliding pillar

Brakes: (front) drum; (rear)
drum

Wheels: wire 4.50x18 in
(5.00x16 optional)

Weight: 569 lb

Maximum speed: 100 mph

Luxurious and well-equipped, the Indian Four was ideally suited to the
fitting of a sidecar, like the rare Goulding built in Michigan.

Motorcycle encyclopedia Moto Passion, realised by François-Marie Dumas, include almost 2000 photos presented with an exhaustive history of the motorcycles exhibited.